From July 21–25, 2025, Bangkok, the Asian Institute of Technology’s Belt and Road Research Center (AIT BRRC) launched the “Appreciation of Civilizations Along the Silk Road” program, welcoming students from China’s Henan Normal University (HNU) for an intensive capacity-building initiative focused on global sustainability challenges, cross-cultural dialogue, and leadership development.


Students engaged in a meticulously designed curriculum blending academic rigor with experiential learning, including
Expert-Led Sustainability Workshops:
Thematic lectures by AIT faculty covered critical topics including Global Challenges & SDGs (Prof. Mario Tabucanon), Sustainable Resource Management (Dr. Takuji Tsusaka), and Gender-Inclusive Development (Dr. Duanghathai Buranajaroenkij), fostering deep dives into sustainability frameworks and solutions.

International Exposure:
Visits to UN ESCAP and Mahidol University provided insights into global governance and Thailand’s academic excellence. At the Yunus Center, students explored social entrepreneurship models for poverty alleviation and rural empowerment.

Hands-On Innovation:
Tours of AIT’s Smart Greenhouse, Digital Agriculture Lab, and Energy Park demonstrated cutting-edge technologies driving sustainable agriculture and renewable energy transitions.

Cross-Cultural Collaboration:
International student roundtables featured peers from Thailand, India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, facilitating discussions on cultural diversity and sustainable development challenges. Participants also collaborated on group projects designing SDG-based solutions for global issues.

Career Pathway Guidance:
Chinese Government Scholarship recipients at AIT shared firsthand experiences on navigating overseas studies, scholarship applications, and cross-cultural adaptability.

The program centered on to cultivate global competence in Sustainability Literacy (SDGs, climate action, inclusive policy), Critical Thinking via research lab immersion (e.g., environmental engineering projects), Leadership & Teamwork through multicultural group tasks, Cross-Cultural Communication in AIT’s diverse campus environment, Thai Cultural Appreciation, including community visits enhancing global citizenship awareness.

Participants received AIT Sustainability Capacity Building Certificates upon completing the program, validating their engagement in lectures, workshops, and collaborative projects. The closing ceremony on July 24 celebrated group presentations on sustainable solutions and cross-cultural insights.

Amid escalating climate and socio-economic challenges, the program underscores AIT’s role as an SDG hub in Asia and China’s commitment to global talent development. By merging theoretical knowledge with practical exchanges, it empowers students to become ambassadors for sustainable development and Silk Road cultural dialogue.